Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving addressed the ongoing speculation about Mitch Marner’s future with the team. Amid daily rumors regarding Marner’s potential contract extension, trade, or move to unrestricted free agency, Treliving emphasized Marner’s value.
“Mitch Marner is a star,” Treliving declared, speaking to reporters in Las Vegas ahead of Friday’s NHL draft. Marner, who has one year left on his contract, has been the subject of much speculation, but Treliving refused to engage in it. “Mitch is a superstar in the league, and he has been since he joined the Maple Leafs,” Treliving said.
Acknowledging the team’s disappointing season, Treliving stressed that the focus should be on improving the team overall, not on individual blame. Despite fan and critic calls to break up the Leafs’ core, with some suggesting Marner should be traded while keeping Auston Matthews and William Nylander, Treliving remained non-committal. Marner, a Markham native with a no-move clause, is unlikely to want to leave his childhood team.
Marner, eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1, is currently earning nearly $11 million a year. With unrestricted free agency looming in July 2025, his future remains uncertain. Coming off a season with 85 points in 69 games, Marner’s performance continues to be strong. Treliving urged fans not to get caught up in the rumors, stating, “Mitch knows what I feel about him as a player.”
